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This is the part two and the last of the series I will be making for the Mister Gay World Philippines pageant where two of my closest friends will be featured. The first one entitled Got SWAG? introduced Jerome Lacsa.

Now let us get to know about Khalil Vera Cruz.

I had a chance to send him some questions while he was on his way to Manila from Spain for some work stuff. Luckily, there was an in-flight wifi at the Etihad.

Hi Khalil, I know we have been friends for the longest time but for the sake of our readers can you give us a few background about yourself?I'm 33, was born and raised in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. I studied in San Beda College (BS Accountancy). I also took short courses in the Executive Program of the Asian Institute of Management. I'm a CPA and currently leading the Statutory and Tax Compliance for Asia Pacific of an advertising holding company. Previously I was a Director in one of the biggest auditing firms in the Philippines and worked in countries like Singapore and Switzerland. Given the circumstances of your busy work and love life, what made you decide to take on this challenge and join the contest?It took me a month to decide if I have the capacity to take the grueling challenges of the pageant. This is because I want to give my full commitment and dedication. But what made me decide was my realization that the agenda of Mr. Gay World about LGBTQIA rights is very close to my heart. Among my very close friends, they know how passionate I am with these issues.

What inspired you to adopt the AWE advocacy?Only a very few of my friends know that my grandfather is Filipino American labor hero in the US. He fought for equality, respect and helped liberate the minority farm workers in the US. He was my inspiration for my adoption of Acceptance without exceptions. I want equality and respect to be deserved by all people across the gender and sexual spectrum. No one should be left behind.

I know you have been traveling a lot for work, you just arrived from Spain, what preparations have you done while away?Since I joined the quest for Mr Gay World Philippines, I’m preparing myself in all aspects. Naturally, I enjoy working out but lately I leveled up my physical training. In terms of mental training, I have close friends whom I discuss on a daily basis about various current events and issues that concern the community. By the way since I'm a foodie it's a struggle to follow a strict diet.

Who do you think is your biggest competition?Every candidate of Mr Gay World have something to offer. Honestly, after I met all the candidates, I felt this is no longer a competition. It's actually a celebration of LGBTQIA community. It’s a celebration of who we are and our unity in diversity. You know, all of us came from different backgrounds and experiences, and learning about their stories is just special. So, I guess every single candidate is a competitor. But as I have said, it doesn’t feel like it anymore. It’s just fun!

How do you get along with a bunch of equally gorgeous gay guys from around the country? What are your bonding moments?Mr. Gay World Philippines is actually a family to me. I learned so many things from them, especially about their understanding of LGBTQIA topics. We all came from different walks of life but I believe that one thing that unite us is we want to show to the Philippines that to be out and proud is the first step for acceptance.

Any message to your supporters and fans?

Actually I didn't expect I'll have supporters and fans for this quest. They actually inspired me because I receive messages everyday telling me that I'm a good example and that I’m an inspiration to them. Some of them are discreet (closeted) and would even ask my help or advice. I want to tell my supporters and fans that I'm very thankful because they are here to support me all the way. In return I will keep on being myself and trying to do things that inspires them as well. I want to tell them that beyond the face, body and the grace, there is a higher calling to push for more boundaries in the fight for acceptance without exceptions for the LGBTQI community.

And just like that guys, the eloquence of Khalil shows in his answers. I think Khalil is more than ready to go on stage and show everyone that he is more than just the looks and the brains, but a person of top caliber personality willing to be of service and inspiration to the community.

***Update

The pre-pageant was held last night and based on the feedback, Khalil has good chance of making it to the top. To make that happen, vote for him on the link below

Male beauty pageantry has never been this good this year as the Mister Gay World 2016 revved up its campaign to look for the best gay guy to represent the country next year. The Philippines got the highest recognition with the second runner up finish of Christian Reyes Lacsamana in the 2015 edition of the said beauty tilt.

Honestly, I was never a fan of male beauty pageants, but speaking of the female form, most often, I giggle at the thought of a Filipina making it on the international stage bagging a crown. If you combine gayness and pageants, you got a bunch of other things. From the nasty barrio gay beauty pageants, to gorgeous productions competed by our transgender sisters, to a high caliber pageantry like Mister Gay World, an annual beauty pageant looking for LGBT rights ambassadors.

It is indeed a high time to take a look at what gay pageants are made of.

I deem it important for three things. One, LGBT issues has been a topic prevalent in the past year. Two, the need for legislation on anti-discrimination bill needs to be talked about and lastly, there is a change in the cultural and behavioral landscape of what being is gay is all about in the context of today’s society, more so in the Philippines.

Gone are the days of the Markova gay image, enter the more masculine and westernized gay guy model.

For this series, we will get to know more about two candidates who I believe deserves to represent us next year. Well, I have my bias since they are my closest of friends.

Meet Jerome.

A nurse by profession, now a human resources practitioner. He works in one of the prominent multinational banks in Taguig City. Omie as what he is fondly called is every gay guy’s dream date.

He’s got what I call the 3H. The head, the heart and the hand.

Being a consistent honor student in his school days speaks about his HEAD up to the profession he is engaged with. Mind you, it takes significant gray matter to finish and earn a nursing license in the Philippines.

The head is incomplete without the caring HEART. According to Jerome, if you do not have a full heart in pursuing something, whatever it might be, it could be a project or a dream, it will never come into fruition. That is why in his free time, aside from championing LGBT related events in their company, he goes out of the way to spend time volunteering for Love Yourself in counseling and the events marketing team. This is where we actually work closely together in the organization. It is where the HANDS come into play. We do the dirty job of mounting events and activities that aims to engage people in awareness and fighting stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. Aside from that, he takes and delivers engagements for singing and hosting.

So there, the head, heart and the hands, mix it all up you got a personality who’s got the SWAG.

Jerome champions SWAG -- Self-Worth Among Gay men and women. He believes that having self-worth will help every gay man and woman create healthy and productive relationships with one another. The goal is to harness unity among the gay and the whole LGBTQI community.

SWAG also stands for Self-Worth + Action = Greatness. It should start but shouldn't end with Self-Worth. Coupled with Action, every gay man, everyone should aim for and achieve Greatness.

A fresh face in the pageant circle, he is not one to be overlooked as he breaks conventions and serves a modern spin on how a candidate should be -- through his own swag. With his understated confidence and unshakable self-worth matched with being a well-rounded man of action, Jerome embodies and promotes SWAG.

Oh well, who can resist that sharp, yuppie and the brushed up look he sports every time. Jerome is very consistent with his well-behaved demeanor and that’s what I love about this guy.

Do you want to know more about Omie? Hit on below for his social media accounts and don't forget to vote for him on the link provided!

The last climb I had with my social mountaineering group Batang Hamog Mountaineers was two years ago. I have updates on the recent ones but never got the chance to join due to very limited and restricted resources of either time or money. I envied the Mt. Apo climb last year. It could have been my shot to glory!

But anyway, fate was with me this time as July marks our anniversary month. The chat group in Facebook was very active and I just go by seeing and feeling. Until the final mountain was selected, itinerary summarized and I am still not sure if I can go.

What made me go was the scheduled training I have in Dagupan City (July 8-9)and the opportunity to join could not be held back. The training finished after lunch and I went back to my hotel to get my stuff. I was expecting my friend Erald from Manaoag to fetch me and join me in the hike by lunchtime but due to some road blockages we saw each other by 7pm. The weather was second to not good for a climb but the group was already at the jump off site. Unfortunately, they were not allowed to climb by authorities so they spent the night camping at the basketball court, which later I would have to discover it becoming a tent city as other groups also camped out in the area.

So Erald met me while I was trying to finish my training reports. I was famished. He suggested me to try the Dagupan dish Pigar-pigar at the famed Uson Pigar-Pigar. It is a dish made of carabeef or carabao meat thinly sliced by the talented hands of the cooks. It was really fresh as they slice the meat when you have your order. Pigar-pigar actually means to flip over and over and I confirmed indeed it was when I saw the dish being cooked in oil with vegetables, sauteed back and forth, flipped here and there. It was gamy and tangy, very like beef but stronger in aroma. The other dish my friends wants me to try was called kaleskesan, a broth-y concoction with sliced innards and carabao skin. Upon hearing the ingredients, I backed out of eating it. I only had a taste of the broth which I find really pungent. Dinner was great. I was full and ready to go to the town of Manaoag to leave my things and just bring a day pack.

It was raining cats and dogs when we headed to Manaoag, more or less 60 kilometers away from Dagupan City. With just a motorbike we braved our way to the town. We have to spend the night and prepare our things in that small fabled place. It was also my first time to visit,it being popular for believers of the faith, seeking miracles to Our Lady of Manaoag. Didn't see the interiors of the church though and I wasn't able to glimpse the image. But my contrite heart prayed for our safety.

There was only one bus company who goes around Manaoag and it was the Dagupan Bus. Catching one was a challenge especially at night going to Baguio. We never had the chance to rest and sleep so we took the time going to Baguio and slept to our hearts content until we reached the place. It was really cold. But I was in my apple green shorts and varsity windbreaker in blue and white, it was so cold I can feel it in my bones. I didn't bring much as it was only a day hike. We have to come back by night fall of the same day.

As we waited at the jeepney station in Lakandula St. near the market in Baguio City, three people were also waiting only to find out it was another friend Del waiting to join the group as well. We cannot wait for the jeepney so we hired a taxi going to Ampucao for 600 pesos. Zero visibility approached us as we went ahead to the long and winding road. Apparently, the socials that happened the night before got ahead of them and finished 7 bottles of brandy. It was a joy to see the same faces again, albeit most of us has changed a lot compared to the time we started climbing. After breakfast, we readied ourselves, took pictures and listened to the orientation by the guides. We prayed for safety and deliverance from danger as the weather was really bad.

As always, being with the team was so much fun. We hiked for 4 hours going up to the station called Gungal, the most popular station where the iconic rock formation can be found. The flora and fauna alongthe trail was really rich and diversified. There were pine forests, grasslands sloping around the hills. I got to taste a wild berry growing along the pathways. We walked amidst steep and muddy trails that one wrong step could mean life and death. Ravines on both sides. That was one glorious walk of fame.

Other groups came in droves. We took turns at taking pictures in the rock formation. It was another life and death scenario since the rock was slippery, and when you slip, hello down there.

Photo ops were taken. As usual I had my Pride flag with me.

We decided not to proceed to the summit as the winds are really strong and everyone was wet despite the rainproof jackets and ponchos. We hiked back by taking the sides of the mountains. I was being dragged by the wind at one point. Imagine how strong the wind was. Yes, you can laugh now.

So we walked back. Another 3 grueling hours of walking the same path. This time some of us were really on the brink of hypothermia. We were so wet. And we made it alive.

I can never replace this group. Even though we only see each other once a year now, we still have that connection. Every time we see each other, it always feels the same like it was the other climbs we had before. Some of us had become couples along the way, had children, became chubbier and healthier. But others did not even change, like gain weight for example. Some had gone back to the faith by cutting his hair for a very good purpose. Others have gone, fulfilling their own purpose,chasing waves and a chance at love. We are still the us, the group who are fun, and bubbly and always full of funny acts. It was the same us who takes pictures longer than our trek going up the summit. It was six years. And we still got the balls to climb every mountain possible.